By Golly Laddie, the Feet Pain Me So!

English: Irish dancer Michael Flatley (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Talk about pounding a lot of ground, Irish dancers’ feet take a real beating. Their feet are their most prized possession, requiring a lot of extra special care to keep on stomping that beat. So what would an Irish dancer do to keep their feet in shape so they don’t miss a performance?

One of the foremost necessities is properly fitting shoes. This rapid dance and beats per minute generate a lot of friction. If shoes are too loose, blisters form, and if shoes are too tight you run the risk of bone problems such as bunions. So like all dancers, lads and ladies of the Irish dance, need to prevent as many foot problems as possible by making sure shoes fit snug, but not tight.

Some of the foot concerns that effect lads and lasses of the Irish dance include:

• Blisters

• Bunions

• Corns

• Ball of foot pain

• Toe pain

• Ankle pain

Lots of products are available to assist the dancers in their quest to prevent and self- treat minor foot ailments. Since blisters are a big problem, dancers will cover sensitive spots with moleskin or band aids so that the protective covering gets the friction, not the skin. There are also creams and products that come in a stick form, which can be used on friction points. Solid stick deodorant can also provide a waxy, smooth coating to lubricate and reduce the effects of chafing. Pads and cushions help with ball of foot problems and spacers for between the toes help prevent bunions, corns and ingrown toenails.

Practice, performance and perfection are three words that Irish dancers seem to live by so they can dance. They are in training 365 days per year, exhaust themselves in classes and practice sessions all to gain the coveted eye of approval during a dance competition. The pain and torment they put their bodies through, so they can hopefully be part of a champion dance troupe, is difficult for a non-dancer to understand. When performing, their ability to forget the pain is even more amazing.

Dancers receive compassionate understanding from Dr.  Boucher. She is from the world of dance and understands the hardships dancers endure, their drive and determination. If you are experiencing pain in your feet or ankles, call Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668. You won’t just receive foot care, but you will experience it on a higher level.

References:

http://www.irishcentral.com/story/irishdance/adult-irish-dancing/foot-care-tips-and-tricks-keep-irish-dancers-on-their-toes-131762798.html

http://www.irishcentral.com/story/irishdance/go-feis--the-irish-dance-blog/pains-and-pleasures-only-an-irish-dancer-can-relate-to-133330558.html

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Dancing Through Time

Three ballet dancers performing a grand jeté jump (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is no shortage of injuries found in professional dance, especially ballet. Ballet seems to test the limits of the body’s endurance and range of motion capabilities. Most professional dancers will suffer an injury at some point in their career and miss rehearsal and performance time. The rigors of this art form often force dancers into early retirement. However, many choose to leave performing behind them somewhere in the mid to late thirties. 

Professional dance is a stressful occupation. It is stressful mentally and emotionally because of the constant pressure to win roles and maintain favor within a dance company. Dance is stressful on the body because of the rigors of the movements. Movements not performed correctly can stress the body and lead to injury. Even under perfect circumstances when moves are done correctly, the long hours and constant repetition, lead to over-use injuries. Often dancers are overworked due to long rehearsal hours and performance time is added on top of that.

What are some of the factors working against dancers and bringing them closer to the injury edge?

• Long rehearsal hours
• Mental and emotional stress
• Physical demands
• Cold working environment
• Hard floors
• Insufficient warm up time

Strength training is an important element of dance preparation. This begins at an early age to prepare the young dancer’s body to meet the demands of the performing art. It also helps develop the best possible habits. Warming up and stretching is a very important element in a plan to avoid foot and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, there are times when young bodies get pushed beyond their capabilities because bones aren’t sufficiently developed and hardened, and joints strengthened. Pushing too hard too soon can result in sprained ankles and possibly permanent damage.

Stress in the workplace is prevalent. Low income, few jobs and highly competition for those that do exist are some of the difficulties faced by dancers. Dancers tend to place additional pressure on themselves because of their internal drive and constant pursuit of perfection.

Dr. Tina Boucher is uniquely qualified to treat dancers. Having a background in dance herself she is able to understand the demands and hazards of the occupation. Call her at (203) 238-3668 for a thorough podiatric evaluation. She will work with you to help find solutions to your foot and ankle concerns and do her best to keep you at your performing peak.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_risks_of_professional_dance

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Don’t Let Your High Heels Fall Short

Salsa dancing (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s amazing to go to a Latin dance or Salsa Club and watch the dancers spinning, turning and moving freely across the dance floor. They are doing it gracefully like they are not concerned in the least about falling off their heels. How do they do it? Practice, practice, practice and even that might not be enough.

Dancing in high heels is stately and elegant, but the shoes aren’t the most supportive and accidents do happen. Most shoes considered “high heels” are about 3 inches high and up. Many of them have narrow foot bed and spike type heels, which mean there is very little contact with the floor, and most of that is balancing on the ball of the foot. Too much time raised on your toes will place a lot of stress on that area and can result in ball of foot pain as well as calf pain.

The light, airy strappy sandals are not a good bet for durability. Often times the shoe construction is such that it creates pressure points on the foot, or seams and stitching are not finished in a manner that prevents abrading your foot. If you spend much time in this type of shoe, the fact that they allow your leg a stylish and elegant profile should only be secondary to comfort. For long hours on the dance floor, a 2 inch enclosed pump would offer a more natural foot position and better protection for your toes and more contact with the floor.

Strappy sandal type dance shoes offer no protection against turning an ankle. Sprains are painful and can cause missed time from work and leisure activities. If you do choose these for the dance floor, make sure they are dance shoes. Dance shoes have a metal shank that runs from inside the heel to the mid-sole. This prevents the heel from twisting if you do make a misstep.

Many people laugh at dancers and claim dancing cannot possibly be rough enough to equate to athletics. However, ask any dancer as they suffer the same injuries any other athlete does. Injuries include the following:

• Sprained ankles
• Ruptured tendons
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Pulled muscles

Dr. Boucher is uniquely qualified to assist you in selection of dance shoes and preventing dance injuries. Contact her at (203) 238-3668 and ask her for her dance shoe recommendations. Hopefully you won’t get tripped up while you’re out tripping the light fantastic.

References:

http://www.danceuniverse.co.kr/know/gentlesport.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070426002145AAfwf3o

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Saving Your Ankles, A Saving Grace

Sprained Ankle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dancers are some of the finest tuned and strength athletes that live. If you don’t believe this, just try dancing around on your toes for as many hours a week as your training, rehearsal and performance schedules require. Not so easy, huh? Strength and conditioning is a major focus of dancers, but that does not mean they are immune from injuries.

Ankle injuries are common amongst dancers, so to stay in the game, so to speak, what can be done to protect this overtaxed joint and surrounding soft tissue? There are strategies for strength development and conditioning meant to reduce the risk of injury. The serious dancer is always in training in an effort to perfect their stance and form, allowing them to perform at the level that is demanded of them.

One of the most unattractive and weakest forms is when the foot is allowed to sickle. Instead of maintaining a straight line from the leg all the way through the foot, the foot is allowed to bend inward. It is unacceptable, unattractive and weak. This weakened position leads to ankle injuries like strains, sprains and breaks of the ankle.

The click on this link to go to a website that shows excellent visual of what a sickled foot looks like. 

In order to prevent injuries caused by weak positions, the dancer must constantly be using exercises to gain strength and control. This is not a quick fix, but needs to be worked on consistently until sickling no longer occurs.

There are five recommended ways to prevent ankle injuries and a dancer would do well to heed the following advice:

• Warm up – the muscles of body, feet and ankles have to be prepared for work.

• Develop strong ankles and skills – dancers must have strong muscles and ankle strength in order to perfect ballet moves.

• Properly fit shoes and proper flooring – properly fit shoes are close and supportive. Too large a shoe allows the foot to come out of pointe and can result in injuries. Proper flooring is padded to protect from painful ankle injuries. 

• The thin physique of the ballet dancer demands proper nutrition to maintain form and strength. Eat healthy and get the proper nutrients.

• When an ankle injury occurs, take care of it immediately with the proper rest and treatment. When you are ready to resume dance, wrap the ankle for continued support.

Dr. Boucher and her staff are ready to help you. Call her with questions and concerns at (203) 238-3668. Her medical expertise and knowledge of dance is sure to keep you in top performance.

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/11170-prevent-ankle-injuries-ballet/
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/1616?page=1
http://dancers.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=51274

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Shoe Tips for the Burgeoning Ballerina

The ballet shoes of a dancer en pointe. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you new to dance? Are you feeling unsure about the type of shoes to get, or overwhelmed by the choices? Hopefully we can ease a bit of your anxiety and get you heading off to class in style and with confidence.

A dancer is an artist, and therefore concerned about the visual. They are concerned, believe it or not, about the appearance of their feet. Their feet need to appear elegant, graceful and smooth, which is accomplished by their footwear. At the same time a dancer is also considering the safety and care of their feet. No one feels the pain more than the dancer if good decisions are not made.

The most common error in judgment is in the correct fit. The tendency is for parents to purchase shoes that are too big for the beginning dancer. The shoes will not be usable for multiple seasons. You need to plan on a pair of shoes each season, but luckily, they are reasonably affordable. Occasionally an instructor will insist on a particular brand or style of shoes, but more often you are on your own.

For the new dancer full leather, suede sole slipper is recommended for both children and adults. It allows for muscle and strength development and should be no longer than one half inch beyond the longest toe, not considering the big toe. You also need to consider the following:

• Materials available are leather, canvas or both. Leather is recommended.

• Correct size for length and width for a snug and secure fit. Stand up on your toes and your toes should not feel crammed in the front of the shoe. You should be able to move your toes.

• Never purchase online unless you have tried on that brand in the store and are sure of the fit.

• New dancers should purchase shoes with the elastics pre-sewn.

Advanced pointe shoes require more consideration, but time and experience will make that decision easier when the time comes.

If you have concerns or questions about dance shoes that are fit, consult Dr. Boucher by calling (203) 238-3668. She is experienced and knowledgeable about dance and always has foot safety and health in mind.

References:

http://suite101.com/article/how-to-choose-a-ballet-slipper-a34999
http://dance.about.com/od/dancegear/tp/Find_Ballet_Shoes.htm

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Let’s Keep On Dancing

Dancer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is nothing easy about a ballet dancer’s life. It is stressful with constant worries about winning a role, guarding their position, rehearsals, performances, money and competition. The calm look on the face of a dancer as she performs might be masking a world of pain. They are on their feet so many hours a day, and on top of it they probably have one or more foot conditions that they experience pain from. Common disorders that they must bear up under include bunions, ingrown toenails, blisters and corns which can easily become infected.

Today let’s learn a bit about bunions and treatment methods that may allow a dancer to keep on dancing. A bunion is a deformity at the base of the big toe, which is caused when the big toe becomes misaligned and extra bone growth appears at the joint. It mostly affects the inner side of the big toe. As the misalignment continues, the big toe slants toward the other toes and the joint becomes more enlarged. If allowed to grow untreated, a bunion can become very painful and make even walking nearly impossible. This is why it is necessary to begin treatment of a bunion early and be persistent.

Symptoms to look for include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Protruding at the joint
• Pain
• Tenderness

It used to be generally believed that a bunion was caused by tight and ill-fitting shoes. This may be somewhat true, but now it is also believed that genetics plays a part because of bone structure.

Different treatment methods for bunions include:

• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen
• Exercises and stretching that encourage correct positioning of the big toe
• A nighttime bunion splint
• Bunion sleeve
• Cortisone injections
• Surgery
• Shoes with a roomier toe box

In order to allow a dancer to continue performing, with bunions present, Dr. Boucher may suggest rest as much as possible and take over-the-counter medication for pain. An elastic sleeve can be pulled on over the foot to maintain correct position or gently reposition the big toe.

If you are a dancer and suffer the constant discomfort of bunions, as many do, contact Dr. Boucher at (203)238-3668. Dr. Boucher was a dancer also, understands your needs and how important it is for you to keep dancing.

References:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2006/sep/05/dance

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A Ballet Dancer’s Feet

The "box" of a pointe shoe resides within the front end of the shoe. The box itself cannot be seen, but its shape is exposed by the tightly stretched outer fabric of the shoe. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever been to a live ballet performance? It is beautiful and a sight to behold, but the serene look on the faces of the performers may be hiding a world of pain and agony. They struggle so to keep their spots, win roles and perform without complaint. What is it that makes them return to their dressing rooms in tears? Pain! It’s a very common ailment suffered by ballet dancers, but also poses a serious risk of infection - CORNS.

Corns, like hair and nails is a skin secretion made up of keratin. They form at points on the body that are sensitive to pressure. They tend to be somewhat pointed, and as the build-up of keratin continues, they can become very painful. In some instances the build-up is so significant and the pressure so great that the corn can actually puncture into the skin and lead to an infection. If you are a dancer you must be particularly aware of the location between the third and fourth toe.  Many dancers experience frequent pinched nerve damage and very little sensation in this area. If a corn becomes infected there, you should seek immediate medical attention. An infected corn may appear similar to an infected pimple, but because of lack of sensation it will not hurt.  Any corn that appears to be infected should be treated by Dr. Boucher. 

You may not develop infected corns, but if it is a condition that is repeatedly bothersome to you, as a dancer, check the fit of your point shoes. Remember your feet can grow as you age and your shoes may be too small. If the wear on the soles of your shoe extend one inch or more beyond the shank, chances are the shoes are too small. Your comfort zone may lie in a pair of shoes one-half size larger.

At home treatment for corns may include:

• Regular foot soaks
• Using a pumice stone to reduce corns and calluses
• Over-the-counter non-medicated corn pads

If you have corns in areas that are difficult to treat, or if they are large and bothersome, contact Dr. Boucher’s office at (203) 238-3668. She has a treatment option for you that will remove the corn and allow you to continue on your way with little or no pain.
 
References:

http://www.centralctfootcare.com/Central-Connecticut-Footcare-Center-LLC.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_n4_v68/ai_14986740/

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